CBC-TV’s Battle of the Blades to return for second season

TORONTO — The elimination-style reality show Battle of the Blades will skate another season.

CBC says its celebrity-packed hit series will return next fall with another round of figure-skating competition.

The first season wrapped up Monday with a finale that crowned former Edmonton Oiler Craig Simpson and Olympic gold medallist Jamie Salé best on ice.

The show paired retired NHLers with former figure skating stars.

CBC says it proved to be a ratings smash, routinely drawing in 1.7 million viewers for its performance episodes and more than 1.3 million for the results shows.

Executive producer John Brunton says they’re in talks to franchise the series to other countries. “It has tremendous international potential as a big name sports and entertainment brand, and we look forward to growing this franchise significantly over the coming years,” Brunton said.